社説:大臣とカネ 「知らない」では済まぬ

February 28, 2015(Mainichi Japan)
Editorial: 'Ignorance' no excuse for ministers' political funding scandals
社説:大臣とカネ　「知らない」では済まぬ

A string of political funding scandals have hit ministers in the Cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in the wake of Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Koya Nishikawa's resignation.
　ますます深刻な事態である。西川公也前農相の辞任に続き、安倍内閣の閣僚に関連した政治資金問題が次々と明るみに出ている。

The government is trying to weather the storm by insisting the ministers were "unaware" that state subsidies were being paid to the entities that made questionable donations to their party chapters. The administration is, in other words, pleading ignorance, and we cannot ignore this paper-thin excuse.
そんな中、とりわけ看過できないのは、政権側が「知らなかった」という弁明で乗り切ろうとしている点である。

The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) branch offices headed by Environment Minister Yoshio Mochizuki and Justice Minister Yoko Kamikawa, respectively, accepted political donations from a logistics firm that had recently received government subsidies.
　望月義夫環境相と上川陽子法相がそれぞれ代表を務める自民党支部は、国の補助金交付が決まっていた地元の同じ総合物流会社から政治献金を受けていた。

The Political Funds Control Act bans companies and organizations from making political donations within a year from a subsidy announcement.
　政治資金規正法は補助金の交付決定を受けた企業や団体に１年間、政治献金を禁じている。

Government subsidies derive from taxpayers' money, and for subsidized companies and organizations to make donations could constitute funneling some of that tax money to politicians.
補助金は税金であり、それを受けた企業や団体が献金するのは税金が政治家に還流する形となりかねないからだ。

This goes to the heart of potential collusion between politicians and industries.
「政治家と業界の癒着」につながる根本的な問題といえ、

Nishikawa resigned his portfolio over a similar donation scandal.
西川氏の辞任も同様の献金問題がきっかけだった。

The Political Funds Control Act bans politicians from accepting contributions from donors they know to be subsidy recipients.
　ただし、同法は政治家側に対しては補助金の交付を知りつつ献金を受けてはならないと規定している。

In other words, politicians cannot be accused of violating the law as long as they are unaware of the subsidies.
つまり知らなければ違反にならないというわけだ。

Mochizuki and Kamikawa have thus emphasized that they had no idea about the subsidies going to the logistics company, and that the donations were not illegal.
望月氏らが「補助金交付は知らなかった。だから違法でない」と強調するのはそのためだ。

The political funding scandals, however, surfaced after news organizations checked publicly available political funding documents and reported on them.
　だが、一連の問題は報道各社が調査・取材して判明したものだ。

It shouldn't have been difficult for the politicians themselves to learn of the problems in advance.
当事者である政治家側が事前に把握するのは不可能ではないはずだ。

If the political funds law provides a seedbed for negligence among politicians and is harnessed merely as a source of convenient excuses, the law should be made stricter so that such donations are held illegal even if politicians were "unaware" of certain subsidies.
逆に今の規正法が政治家側の怠慢を生み、言い逃れに利用されているとすれば、この際、「知らなくても違反」と法改正し、厳格化すべきである。

Hakubun Shimomura, minister of education, culture, sports, science and technology, is accused of possibly violating the law after his support groups -- known as Hakuyukai -- failed to report themselves as political organizations. Furthermore, an LDP chapter he heads was also found to have accepted funds from non-Japanese citizens -- another violation of the law.
　下村博文文部科学相は、同氏を支援している各地の団体「博友会」が政治団体として届け出をせず、同法違反の可能性が指摘されているほか、同法で禁じられている外国人からの寄付なども明らかになった。

In the meantime, Nishikawa had also received nearly 10 million yen in consulting fees from a state-subsidized company over a four-year period, according to documents filed with the Diet following his resignation.
　一方、西川氏については辞任後に国会に提出した資料で、補助金を受けていた会社から約４年間で１０００万円近い顧問料を受けていたことが明らかになった。

When Yuko Obuchi stepped down as minister of economy, trade and industry over shady political spending last fall, she remarked, "There's no way I can be spared just by saying I didn't know about it."
　昨秋、不透明な政治資金支出で小渕優子前経済産業相が閣僚を辞任する際、「知らなかったでは済まされない」と語った。

Alas, she has yet to file a detailed report over the issue, which she promised to do at the time of her resignation. Is she in the belief that everything is settled because she was re-elected in the December House of Representatives election?
ところが、その後の衆院選で再選されたから決着済みということなのか、辞任時に約束していた詳細な調査報告をいまだにしていない。

Just like Obuchi, Nishikawa and Mochizuki joined the Abe Cabinet in a reshuffle last fall.
　西川、望月両氏も小渕氏と同様、昨秋発足した第２次安倍改造内閣で入閣している。

They should by no means have forgotten other funding scandals they faced at the time.
その時にも今回とは別の資金問題が指摘されていたのを忘れたわけではあるまい。

When the third Abe Cabinet was formed following the last lower house election, didn't the ministers and Prime Minister Abe check their financial backgrounds carefully?
第３次安倍内閣の組閣に当たり、本人も安倍晋三首相らも厳密にチェックをしなかったのだろうか。

While the ministers are trying to slip out of the net with their new favorite refrain, "I didn't know," Prime Minister Abe has only reiterated, "Politicians in both the ruling and opposition camps should fulfill their accountability."
　「知らなかった」で済まそうとする閣僚に対し、安倍首相は「与野党ともに政治家は自ら説明責任を」などと繰り返すだけだ。

What other motive could they have for putting on that kind of attitude than the arrogance gleaned from a landslide lower house election victory?
衆院選で大勝したおごりというほかない。

毎日新聞　2015年02月28日　02時31分

社説:大臣とカネ 「知らない」では済まぬ

February 28, 2015(Mainichi Japan)
Editorial: 'Ignorance' no excuse for ministers' political funding scandals
社説:大臣とカネ　「知らない」では済まぬ

A string of political funding scandals have hit ministers in the Cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in the wake of Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Koya Nishikawa's resignation.
　ますます深刻な事態である。西川公也前農相の辞任に続き、安倍内閣の閣僚に関連した政治資金問題が次々と明るみに出ている。

The government is trying to weather the storm by insisting the ministers were "unaware" that state subsidies were being paid to the entities that made questionable donations to their party chapters. The administration is, in other words, pleading ignorance, and we cannot ignore this paper-thin excuse.
そんな中、とりわけ看過できないのは、政権側が「知らなかった」という弁明で乗り切ろうとしている点である。

The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) branch offices headed by Environment Minister Yoshio Mochizuki and Justice Minister Yoko Kamikawa, respectively, accepted political donations from a logistics firm that had recently received government subsidies.
　望月義夫環境相と上川陽子法相がそれぞれ代表を務める自民党支部は、国の補助金交付が決まっていた地元の同じ総合物流会社から政治献金を受けていた。

The Political Funds Control Act bans companies and organizations from making political donations within a year from a subsidy announcement.
　政治資金規正法は補助金の交付決定を受けた企業や団体に１年間、政治献金を禁じている。

Government subsidies derive from taxpayers' money, and for subsidized companies and organizations to make donations could constitute funneling some of that tax money to politicians.
補助金は税金であり、それを受けた企業や団体が献金するのは税金が政治家に還流する形となりかねないからだ。

This goes to the heart of potential collusion between politicians and industries.
「政治家と業界の癒着」につながる根本的な問題といえ、

Nishikawa resigned his portfolio over a similar donation scandal.
西川氏の辞任も同様の献金問題がきっかけだった。

The Political Funds Control Act bans politicians from accepting contributions from donors they know to be subsidy recipients.
　ただし、同法は政治家側に対しては補助金の交付を知りつつ献金を受けてはならないと規定している。

In other words, politicians cannot be accused of violating the law as long as they are unaware of the subsidies.
つまり知らなければ違反にならないというわけだ。

Mochizuki and Kamikawa have thus emphasized that they had no idea about the subsidies going to the logistics company, and that the donations were not illegal.
望月氏らが「補助金交付は知らなかった。だから違法でない」と強調するのはそのためだ。

The political funding scandals, however, surfaced after news organizations checked publicly available political funding documents and reported on them.
　だが、一連の問題は報道各社が調査・取材して判明したものだ。

It shouldn't have been difficult for the politicians themselves to learn of the problems in advance.
当事者である政治家側が事前に把握するのは不可能ではないはずだ。

If the political funds law provides a seedbed for negligence among politicians and is harnessed merely as a source of convenient excuses, the law should be made stricter so that such donations are held illegal even if politicians were "unaware" of certain subsidies.
逆に今の規正法が政治家側の怠慢を生み、言い逃れに利用されているとすれば、この際、「知らなくても違反」と法改正し、厳格化すべきである。

Hakubun Shimomura, minister of education, culture, sports, science and technology, is accused of possibly violating the law after his support groups -- known as Hakuyukai -- failed to report themselves as political organizations. Furthermore, an LDP chapter he heads was also found to have accepted funds from non-Japanese citizens -- another violation of the law.
　下村博文文部科学相は、同氏を支援している各地の団体「博友会」が政治団体として届け出をせず、同法違反の可能性が指摘されているほか、同法で禁じられている外国人からの寄付なども明らかになった。

In the meantime, Nishikawa had also received nearly 10 million yen in consulting fees from a state-subsidized company over a four-year period, according to documents filed with the Diet following his resignation.
　一方、西川氏については辞任後に国会に提出した資料で、補助金を受けていた会社から約４年間で１０００万円近い顧問料を受けていたことが明らかになった。

When Yuko Obuchi stepped down as minister of economy, trade and industry over shady political spending last fall, she remarked, "There's no way I can be spared just by saying I didn't know about it."
　昨秋、不透明な政治資金支出で小渕優子前経済産業相が閣僚を辞任する際、「知らなかったでは済まされない」と語った。

Alas, she has yet to file a detailed report over the issue, which she promised to do at the time of her resignation. Is she in the belief that everything is settled because she was re-elected in the December House of Representatives election?
ところが、その後の衆院選で再選されたから決着済みということなのか、辞任時に約束していた詳細な調査報告をいまだにしていない。

Just like Obuchi, Nishikawa and Mochizuki joined the Abe Cabinet in a reshuffle last fall.
　西川、望月両氏も小渕氏と同様、昨秋発足した第２次安倍改造内閣で入閣している。

They should by no means have forgotten other funding scandals they faced at the time.
その時にも今回とは別の資金問題が指摘されていたのを忘れたわけではあるまい。

When the third Abe Cabinet was formed following the last lower house election, didn't the ministers and Prime Minister Abe check their financial backgrounds carefully?
第３次安倍内閣の組閣に当たり、本人も安倍晋三首相らも厳密にチェックをしなかったのだろうか。

While the ministers are trying to slip out of the net with their new favorite refrain, "I didn't know," Prime Minister Abe has only reiterated, "Politicians in both the ruling and opposition camps should fulfill their accountability."
　「知らなかった」で済まそうとする閣僚に対し、安倍首相は「与野党ともに政治家は自ら説明責任を」などと繰り返すだけだ。

What other motive could they have for putting on that kind of attitude than the arrogance gleaned from a landslide lower house election victory?
衆院選で大勝したおごりというほかない。

毎日新聞　2015年02月28日　02時31分

ギリシャ改革案 実効性のある具体策が肝心だ

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Greek reform plan hinges on providing effective, specific policies
ギリシャ改革案　実効性のある具体策が肝心だ

Will Greece make sincere efforts toward fiscal reconstruction?
　ギリシャは財政再建に誠実に取り組むのか。

Concrete policies need to be properly determined for achieving this objective.
具体策をしっかり見極める必要がある。
 
The European Union has approved a structural reform plan submitted by Greece as a condition for the extension of financial aid to that nation.
　欧州連合（ＥＵ）は、金融支援延長の条件としてギリシャが提出した構造改革案を了承した。

This aid program was due to expire at the end of February. The EU member nations will now move ahead with domestic procedures necessary to ensure the four-month extension can be ratified.
　ＥＵ各国は、今月末で期限切れとなる支援策を、４か月延長するための国内手続きを進める。

The Greek reform plan promised to boost tax revenue by stiffening steps to prevent tax evasion and to push ahead with fiscal reconstruction by cutting wasteful government expenditure.
　ギリシャの改革案は、脱税対策の強化による税収増や、無駄な歳出の削減によって、財政再建を進めることを約束した。

A statement issued by the EU positively welcomed the Greek plan, saying the list of measures was “sufficiently comprehensive.” However, the vital content of the plan still lacks many details.
　ＥＵは声明で「十分に包括的だ」と前向きに評価したが、肝心の中身は踏み込み不足である。

The International Monetary Fund, which along with the EU has extended assistance to Greece, was quite right to criticize the plan as being “not very specific.”
　ＥＵとともにギリシャ支援を担う国際通貨基金（ＩＭＦ）などが、「具体性に乏しい」と批判しているのはもっともだ。

The Greek government’s cash flow is already in a very tenuous situation.
　ギリシャ政府の資金繰りは、既に綱渡り状態とされる。

Due to concern that the nation could be facing financial collapse, financial uncertainty has increased in Greece, where deposit outflows from banks have surged.
ギリシャでは、財政破綻への懸念を背景に金融不安が高まり、銀行預金を引き出す動きも強まっている。

The administration of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, which gained public support based on its “anti-austerity” campaign pledges, presumably had little choice but to reach some sort of deal with the EU so it could avert the looming crisis.
　「反緊縮」を公約し、国民の支持を得たチプラス政権としても、差し迫った危機を回避するため、ＥＵ側と一定の妥協を図らざるを得なかったのだろう。

Barometer for eurozone

If Greece is unable to conclude an agreement with the EU by the end of April after submitting a more detailed reform plan, the extension of support will be back to square one. At this point, there is no telling how the negotiations will pan out.
　ギリシャが今後、より詳細な改革案を提出し、４月末までにＥＵ側の合意を取り付けないと、支援延長は白紙に戻る。交渉の先行きは、予断を許さない。

Even this latest reform plan has provoked howls of protest from within the Greek ruling party, which has trumpeted an anti-austerity stance.
　今回の改革案でさえ、反緊縮を掲げるギリシャの与党内から反発の声が出ている。

The austerity policies implemented so far have already produced side effects including a sluggish economy and an unemployment rate of more than 25 percent. There is mounting discontent among the public.
これまでの緊縮策の副作用で、失業率が２５％を超えるなど経済の低迷が続き、国民の不満も強まっている。

As Greece sets its sights on a deal with the EU, it will not be easy to calibrate the views of the ruling coalition parties about continuing fiscal austerity, nor to convince Greek citizens to go along with these steps.
　ＥＵ側との合意に向けて、緊縮財政の継続について連立与党の意見をまとめ、国民を説得するのは容易ではあるまい。

However, if the talks break down and Athens finds itself in a situation where it defaults, the Greek economy would suffer a devastating blow. The price would ultimately be paid by the citizens of Greece.
　しかし、交渉が決裂し、債務不履行（デフォルト）などの事態となれば、ギリシャ経済は壊滅的な打撃を受ける。ツケを払わされるのは、ギリシャの国民である。

The Tsipras administration must quickly settle on a structural reform plan that will be effective.
　チプラス政権は、実効性のある構造改革案を、早急に策定しなければならない。

Under the euro system, each member nation manages its own finances while they all share a common currency.
　ユーロ体制は、共通通貨のもと、各国が独自に財政を運営している。

There is a structural flaw in that policies are not always aligned due to differences in the national strength and economic conditions among the group members. To offset this, strict fiscal discipline is imposed.
国力や経済情勢によって政策の足並みが乱れる構造的な弱点があり、これを補うため加盟国に厳しい財政規律を課している。

If a “straggler” emerges due to discord over fiscal management, the momentum of European unity could be weakened, irrespective of the size of that nation’s economy.
　その国の経済規模の大小にかかわらず、財政運営を巡る不協和音で「落後者」を出せば、欧州統合の推進力は弱まりかねない。

Whether or not the EU can clear the Greek problem will be a litmus test that could foresee the outcome of the euro system.
　ギリシャ問題を乗り切れるかどうかは、ユーロ体制の行方を占う試金石である。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 26, 2015)

国連「７０年」討論 歴史を曲げる中国の反日宣伝

The Yomiuri Shimbun
China’s anti-Japan propaganda distorts postwar history ahead of anniversary
国連「７０年」討論　歴史を曲げる中国の反日宣伝

China has begun full-fledged anti-Japan propaganda, in connection with the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.
　「戦後７０年」を巡る中国の反日宣伝活動が、本格的に始まった。
 
The U.N. Security Council on Monday held an open debate in line with the 70th anniversary of the end of the war and the foundation of the United Nations. The meeting was proposed by China, the chair of the council this month, and representatives from about 80 countries made statements.
　国連安全保障理事会が戦後７０年と国連創設７０年に合わせた公開討論を開いた。２月の議長国である中国が提案した会合で、約８０か国の代表が発言した。

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi presided at the meeting, saying, “There are still some reluctant to recognize the truth and [who] even attempt to overturn and whitewash past crimes of aggression.” Although he refrained from naming Japan, it is obvious that China had this nation in mind.
　議長を務める中国の王毅外相は第２次大戦について「いまだに真実を認めたがらず、侵略の犯罪をごまかそうとする者がいる」と語った。名指しは避けたが、日本を念頭に置いているのは明白だ。

We cannot overlook Wang’s remarks, as he ignored the fact that Japan had acknowledged its acts of aggression and expressed remorse and apology over its past conduct. We can also see that China intended to demean Japan.
　日本が侵略の事実を認め、反省と謝罪を表明してきた経緯を無視しており、看過できない。日本をおとしめる意図もうかがえる。

Oh Joon, South Korean Ambassador to the United Nations, said U.N. member countries need to be wary of the problems that can come from “attempts to disregard lessons of history.” His remarks are considered to be essentially in line with those of China.
　韓国の国連大使も「歴史の教訓を無視しようとする試み」への注意が必要だと呼びかけた。基本的に中国に同調したとみられる。

Japanese Ambassador to the United Nations Motohide Yoshikawa emphasized that “Throughout its post-war history, Japan has, based on feelings of deep remorse regarding the Second World War ... walked the path of a peace-loving nation.” Yoshikawa also said, “The path we have taken so far as a peace-loving nation is the pride of Japanese people and it will never change.”
　これに対し、吉川元偉国連大使は「日本は戦後、大戦の深い反省に立ち、平和国家としての道を歩んできた」と強調した。その姿勢は「日本人の誇りであり、決して変わらない」とも言明した。

It was an appropriate assertion, made on the basis of the pacifist course Japan has followed for 70 years since the end of the war. Japan has made efforts to contribute to the peace and prosperity of the world and steadily won the trust of the international community. Japan has contributed a great deal of money to the United Nations and advocated the reform of the Security Council to strengthen its functions.
　この７０年間を踏まえた適切な主張だ。日本は、世界の平和と繁栄に寄与し、国際社会で信頼を着実に築いてきた。国連にも巨額の分担金を拠出し、その機能を強化する安保理改革を提唱している。

Rebut unjustified attacks

Japan should rebut unjustified criticism appropriately and in a level-headed manner. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said, “We will properly assert what we should assert.” It is quite reasonable for him to clarify Japan’s stance of intensifying its message to the international community.
　不当な批判には、的確かつ冷静に反論したい。菅官房長官が「主張すべき点はしっかり主張する」と述べ、対外発信を強める考えを示したのは当然だろう。

Wang also said that China, as a “victory country” in the “world anti-fascism war,” has supported the role of the United Nations and safeguarded peace and stability. With these words, he meant to tout China’s position of maintaining the postwar international order.
　王氏は、中国が「反ファシスト戦争」の「戦勝国」として、国連を支持し、平和と安定を守ってきたと述べた。戦後秩序を維持する姿勢をアピールしたものだ。

However, China has repeatedly been involved in armed conflicts in the postwar years with its neighboring countries, including India, the former Soviet Union and Vietnam. Even today, China is attempting to change the status quo by force, causing regional instability.
　だが、中国は戦後、インドや旧ソ連、ベトナムなど周辺国と武力衝突を繰り返してきた。現在も、力による現状変更を図り、地域を不安定化させている。

Typical examples are China increasing its effective control — with no basis in international law — over certain waters by building bases on top of reefs in the South China Sea, and by repeatedly entering Japanese territorial waters in the East China Sea.
　南シナ海の岩礁の基地化など、国際法上の根拠がない実効支配の拡大や、東シナ海での度重なる日本領海侵入が典型例である。

China considers the open debate as a prelude to its commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the end of the war and the foundation of the United Nations. It is expected to intensify its anti-Japan campaign internationally in the days ahead.
　中国は、今回の討論を７０年行事の「序幕」と位置づける。今後、国際的な反日宣伝を強めよう。

Conspicuously cooperating with China is Russia, a country that has been trying to unilaterally change the status quo in Ukraine.
　中国との協調姿勢が際立つのが、ウクライナで一方的な現状変更を試みているロシアだ。

Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Moscow in May to take part in the celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of Russia’s victory in the war over Germany, and Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Beijing in September to attend the celebrations commemorating victory in the war against Japan.
　５月の対ドイツ、９月の対日戦勝記念日に合わせ、習近平国家主席とプーチン大統領が、モスクワと北京を相互訪問する。

Can this series of developments undermine Japan’s national interests? It is important for Japan to keep a close watch on the cooperative moves between China and Russia, while pursuing strategic diplomacy with both countries.
　一連の動きが日本の国益を損なわないか。中露の連携を注視するとともに、双方に戦略的外交を展開することが重要である。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 25, 2015)

香山リカのココロの万華鏡:若者よ気軽に相談を ／東京

words in this article,
confide 秘密を打ち明ける

February 22, 2015(Mainichi Japan)
Kaleidoscope of the heart: Young people should reach out to adults more
香山リカのココロの万華鏡:若者よ気軽に相談を　／東京

The season of university entrance examinations is now upon us.
　大学入試のシーズンがやって来た。

Since I am based at a university, I sometimes work as a test monitor who oversees students while they take their exams.
私は大学に所属しているので入試の監督をすることがある。

Since this is also the season when people catch colds, many test-taking students can be seen wearing masks -- while others cough, and generally appear to be feeling unwell.
カゼの多いこの季節、マスクをしている受験生も目立つ。咳（せき）をするなど調子が悪そうな人もいる。

It is written in the test monitor manual that "students who do not feel well, or who need to use the toilet, should raise their hand in order to let the monitor know." This instruction is read out to students prior to the beginning of the examination, as well as every hour after the test has begun.
監督のマニュアルには「体調不良、トイレなどの場合は手をあげて知らせてください」とあり、開始前に毎時間、読み上げる。
   
As monitors, we must then pay attention to see whether any of the students attempt to get our attention by raising their hand.
　試験時間中、監督は誰か手をあげないか、と注意を払う。

Even if students appear to be glancing our way, however, it is not up to the monitors to approach them.
とはいっても、こちらをチラチラ見ている受験生がいても、「何かご用ですか」と声をかけるわけにはいかない。

Rather, we simply wait for the students to raise their hand.
あくまで彼らが手をあげるのを待つだけだ。

During one particular examination, there was one student who appeared not to be feeling well -- but who did not raise their hand.
　ある科目のとき、いかにも体調が悪そうな受験生がいて、こちらも気にしていたのだがなかなか手をあげない。

Toward the end of the test session, the student finally raised their hand and said, "my stomach hurts" -- by which time their face had already turned very pale.
試験時間の終わり頃になってようやく「おなかが痛い」と申し出たときには、顔色も真っ青だった。

I found myself wishing that the student had said something earlier, instead of suffering all that time. From the student's perspective, however, speaking up must have been a very difficult thing to do.
「無理せずにもっと早く言ってくれればいいのに」と思ったが、受験生としてはとても言い出せないのだろう。

Later, while looking at an Internet discussion board among student test-takers, I saw numerous comments to the effect of, "I really had to go to the bathroom," and "I felt nauseous, but I couldn't just ask to leave the room for a while."
　そのあと受験生が集うネットの掲示板を見たら、「トイレとの戦いだった」「吐き気がしたけど“ちょっと外に出ていいですか”なんて言えなかった」といった書き込みがけっこうあった。

Why, I wondered, were these students unable to simply excuse themselves to use the toilet?
どうして「ちょっとトイレ」と手をあげてくれないのか。

There was no need for them to have endured such feelings in silence.
がまんなど必要ないのだ。

I found myself wanting to tell these students that there was no need for them to suffer -- and that they should not be afraid to speak up to the test monitor.
「受験生よ、あまり遠慮したりおそれたりせずに、試験監督になんでも申し出てほしい」と思った。

After all, we certainly would not get angry or penalize them in any way on their examination score.
私たちはそこで怒ったり点数を差し引いたりすることはない。

This matter is not restricted merely to that of university examinations, moreover.
　受験に限ったことではない。

In a more general sense, it seems that young people feel that if they share something with adults, they will not be understood -- or that they will simply be lectured at or otherwise placed in a disadvantaged position.
子どもや若者は「おとなに言ってもわかってもらえない」「逆に説教されたり自分が不利になったりするだけ」と思いがちなのではないだろうか。

As a result, they refrain from sharing their problems or worries with the adults who are close to them -- and instead keep their feelings bottled up inside them.
そして、困っていることや悩みができても、身近なおとなには言わずがまんしてしまう。

After becoming an adult myself, however, I can say with certainty that we are not bothered by the thought of young people depending upon us or sharing their feelings of distress with us.
　しかし、私もおとなになってよくわかった。おとなは、若い人が頼ってくれたり悩みを打ち明けてくれたりするのを、決してわずらわしいとは思っていない。

On the contrary, many adults are wondering how they can be of assistance in this regard -- and are waiting for the youth in their lives to open up to them.
それよりも「何か役に立ちたい」と思って、待っているおとなもたくさんいるのだ。

So, young people, how about it? Why not feel comfortable enough to confide in an adult?
もっと気軽に、まわりにいるおとなに気持ちを話してみてはどうだろう。

In some unfortunate cases, the first person whom you choose may not be completely understanding.
ただ、不幸にして最初に話したおとながよく理解してくれない、という場合もあるかもしれない。

In that case, however, rather than give up, it is better to look for someone else.
そのときはあきらめずに、次の人をさがしてほしい。

And it also goes without saying: If you need to go to the toilet or are not feeling well while taking your university entrance examinations, please do not be afraid to raise your hand to leave the room.
そしてもちろんこれから受験という人は、試験時間中のトイレや体調不良での一時退席をためらわず、気軽に手をあげてほしいと思う。

（精神科医）
(By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
毎日新聞　2015年02月17日　地方版

Last Call for 32Red Sport special offer, WILLIE OR WON'T HE (3/1)

You can get a very big chance once in a year!
Specially for horse racing fan.

香山リカのココロの万華鏡:みなで支え合い心守ろう ／東京

February 15, 2015(Mainichi Japan)
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: When the world goes to hell in a hand basket...
香山リカのココロの万華鏡:みなで支え合い心守ろう　／東京

Tragedy follows heartbreaking tragedy. After the apparent murders of two Japanese men at the hands of the Islamic State militant group, a primary school fifth-grader was slain in a residential area in Wakayama Prefecture.
　「イスラム国」の日本人人質事件に続き、和歌山県で小学５年の男子児童が殺害されるといういたましい事件が起きた。

One visitor to my practice asked, "What can be done to protect kids from being exposed to such shocking news?" This was followed quickly upon by the admission, "Actually, I'm pretty messed up about it, too."
診察室でも「子どもを衝撃的なニュースからどう守ったらよいのでしょう」と質問後、「私自身もかなりまいってます」と告白した人がいた。
   
Whether it's a local incident or some terrible world event, it's important for adults to tell the kids around them, "Don't worry, I'll protect you whatever happens."
　地域での事件、世界での大きな悪いできごとが起きたときには、おとなはまず「だいじょうぶ、必ず守ってあげるから」と伝えることが大切だ。

On top of that, it's best to maintain the family's daily routine. If a child says they're anxious or scared, give them every opportunity to talk about what's bothering them.
その上でなるべくいつも通りの生活を続けながら、子どもが不安や恐怖を口にしたら話をそらさず聞いてあげる。

Even if you have nothing concrete to say in return, a simple, "So that's what you've been thinking" and similarly soft and gently encouraging remarks will help the child gradually sort through their feelings.
とくに答えは出さなくても、「そう思ったんだね」とゆるやかに肯定しながら聞けば、子どもは次第に自分で気持ちを整理していくことができるものだ。

But then how are adults to reassure their kids while at the same time guarding the gates of their own hearts from terrible news and shocking images? 　では、そうするためおとなはどうやって自分の心を守ればよいのか。

First and foremost, everyone needs a "somebody" to give them a helping hand.
まず必要なのは、支えてくれる“誰か”の存在だ。

A spouse or partner makes the best "somebody", but friends, parents or siblings can also likely be counted on to lend an ear.
配偶者がベストだが、友人あるいは親やきょうだいという場合もあるだろう。

There are some people out there who would say they have no one they can count on like that.
　運悪く「誰も自分を支えてくれる人はいない」という人もいる。

If you're one of them, you could turn to a teacher, a counselor or another professional shoulder to lean on, and get their help and advice.
そのときは、学校の先生、カウンセラーなどの専門家にも話を聴いてもらい、アドバイスを受ける。

Above all, however, it's important not to try to bear the impossible.
そして何より、無理をしすぎないことが大切だ。

Some might say, "I can protect my child on my own," or, "I have to be happy and energetic in front of my kids." But that kind of load on just one pair of shoulders can lead you to a bad state.
「私ひとりで子どもを守る」「子どもの前では笑顔で元気にしなきゃ」と肩に力が入りすぎると心身に不調が出てしまう。

Remember to relax. "The world may be a pretty dangerous place, but for now I'm just going to sit back and watch my favorite TV series." Everyone needs a little time like this.
「世の中物騒なことばかりだけど、とにかくこの時間は好きなドラマを見ましょう」とリラックスできる時間を忘れない。

Don't spend all your time looking at things that make you anxious. Instead, get out and about and get some exercise with your kids. Sweat a little, and return home tired but happy.
あまり目の前の心配ごとにばかりとらわれず、子どもといっしょにからだを動かし、汗をかいて心地よい疲労感を味わうこともよいだろう。

Of course, relaxing or getting your body moving may only stave off your worries for a time.
　もちろん、運動やリラックスで一時的に不安から逃れても、

You may end your day wondering what horrific thing is going to happen next.
夜になるとあれこれ思い出し、「また恐ろしいできごとが起きるのでは」と心配になるかもしれない。

If that's the case, don't get yourself in a tizzy or blame yourself for lapsing back into anxiety. Rather, I think it's better to remind yourself that to worry about the world is natural.
そういうときはあまりあせらず、「不安になるのはあたりまえだ」と自分に言い聞かせてみてはどうだろう。

Some of the folks coming to my practice recently simply cannot conceal their agitation, and I tell them this: "This is a little bit embarrassing, but I'm the same. Watching the news can get depressing, right?"
　最近、診察室で動揺を隠せない人たちには、こんなことを伝えている。「お恥ずかしい話ですが、私もです。ニュースを見ていると気が滅入（めい）りますよね」。

It's usually taboo for a psychiatrist to reveal emotional vulnerability to her patients, but in this case they almost all give me a look of relief.
精神科医が心の弱さを見せるのはふだんはタブーだが、今回ばかりは多くの人はほっとした顔をしてくれる。

"Huh, Dr. Kayama's the same," their faces seem to say. Exactly so. Everyone worries about what will become of our society.
「なんだ、先生も同じなんですね」。そう、「この社会、どうなっちゃったの？」と不安なのはみな同じ。

The trick is to lend each other the support we all need, and live our daily lives without trying to do the impossible.
お互い支え合い、無理せずに日々を送りたい。

（精神科医）
(By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
毎日新聞　2015年02月10日　地方版

戦後７０年談話 平和貢献の決意を発信したい

The Yomiuri Shimbun
70th anniversary statement must convey Japan’s contributions to world peace
戦後７０年談話　平和貢献の決意を発信したい

What roles should Japan play for the world’s peace and prosperity, while taking into account reflections on its past? It is important for Japan to convey a future-oriented message to the international community.
　過去への反省を踏まえつつ、世界の平和と繁栄に日本がどんな役割を果たすのか。未来志向のメッセージを対外発信することが肝要である。
 
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has made clear that he intends to establish later this month an expert panel on the statement he will issue this summer on the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. The panel will discuss the content and the expressions to be used in the statement.
　安倍首相が、今夏に発表する予定の戦後７０年の首相談話に関して月内に有識者会議を設置し、談話の内容や表現方法を議論してもらう意向を表明している。

In the statement, Abe intends to include reflections on the war, Japan’s postwar path as a pacifist nation and its future international contributions.
　談話には、大戦への反省、戦後の平和国家の歩み、今後の国際貢献などを盛り込む考えだ。

It is significant for Japan to specify to the international community not only its historical perceptions of developments before and during the war, but the course this nation will take in the future and its policy direction, after reviewing postwar Japan’s historical path.
　戦前・戦中に関する歴史認識だけでなく、戦後日本を総括したうえで、将来の針路や政策の方向性について、国際社会に明示することは重要な意義を持つ。

After the war, Japan promoted its peace-oriented diplomacy by consistently attaching importance to the Japan-U.S. alliance and international cooperation. Japan’s contributions to the international community through its official development assistance and its participation in U.N. peacekeeping operations have been highly acclaimed.
　日本は戦後、一貫して日米同盟と国際協調を重視し、平和外交を推進してきた。政府開発援助（ＯＤＡ）や国連平和維持活動（ＰＫＯ）などを通じた貢献は、高い評価を受けている。

The international community now faces threats in diverse forms, such as regional conflicts, proliferation of international terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, poverty and environmental destruction.
　国際社会は今、地域紛争や、国際テロと大量破壊兵器の拡散、貧困、環境破壊など、様々な脅威に直面する。

Japan should spell out specifically its stance in tackling these challenges ever more actively in the days ahead, on the basis of its policy of “proactive contribution to peace.”
日本が今後、「積極的平和主義」に基づき、こうした課題に、より能動的に取り組む姿勢を明確に打ち出すべきだろう。

In the statement issued on the 50th anniversary, then Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama said Japan “caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of ... Asian nations” through “its colonial rule and aggression,” and expressed “deep remorse” and a “heartfelt apology” over Japan’s conduct before and during the war.
　戦後５０年の村山談話は、「植民地支配と侵略」でアジア諸国などに「多大の損害と苦痛を与えた」として、「痛切な反省」と「心からのお詫わび」を表明した。

Japan-U.S. alliance as key

The historical perception of Murayama has been inherited by the cabinets that followed. The statement made by then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on the 60th anniversary followed a set of wordings and expressions made in the Murayama statement.
　この認識は、歴代内閣に引き継がれている。戦後６０年の小泉談話も、一連の文言を踏襲した。

Abe has repeatedly made clear that he would “inherit as a whole” the tone of the statements by the administrations of Murayama and Koizumi.
　安倍首相は、村山、小泉両談話について、「全体として引き継ぐ」と何度も明言している。

With regards to such particular wordings as “colonial rule” and “aggression,” however, he has indicated his stance of not necessarily sticking to the previous statements, saying, “If it is modeled on the style used in the past, there could be nit-picking arguments over it.”
　一方で、植民地支配、侵略など個別の文言については、「今までのスタイルを下敷きにすると、細々した議論になる」と述べ、必ずしもこだわらない考えも示す。

Is it appropriate for an administration to apologize for Japan’s conduct during the war every time a prime minister issues a statement? Or is it right for attention to be drawn chiefly to differences in wording from past statements? Abe appears to be aware of these issues. We can understand him on these points.
　首相談話を出す度に、大戦への謝罪を続けることが適切なのか。過去の談話との違いばかりに関心が集まることが良いのか。首相には、こうした問題意識があるようだ。その点は理解できる。

Abe plans to make an official visit to the United States during the Golden Week holidays, with both governments making arrangements to issue a joint statement that will set forth the future of the Japan-U.S. alliance based on their bilateral relationship over the 70 years since the end of the war.
　首相は、今春の大型連休に米国を公式訪問し、戦後７０年と今後の日米関係に関する共同文書を発表する方向で調整している。

The joint statement is expected to contain a view that Japan has contributed to the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region and of the world, through the Japan-U.S. alliance after the war and a policy of further reinforcing the bilateral alliance.
　共同文書には、日本が日米同盟を通じてアジア太平洋地域と世界の平和と安定に寄与してきたとの見解や、同盟関係を一層強化する方針が盛り込まれる見通しだ。

The prime minister’s statement on the 70th anniversary will draw much attention among many countries, including China and South Korea, and will likely make a political impact. Therefore, it is important to coordinate in advance the perceptions of both Japan and the United States through the joint statement.
　今夏の７０年談話は、中国、韓国など多くの国が注目し、政治的な影響もあろう。その前に共同文書により、日米両国の認識を調整しておくことは重要である。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 19, 2015)

ギリシャ支援 危機回避へ延長が不可欠だ

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Extension of bailout program for Greece essential to avoid European debt crisis
ギリシャ支援　危機回避へ延長が不可欠だ

Can a possible flare-up of the European sovereign debt crisis be prevented? Tensions are building over the current situation.
　欧州発の危機再燃を回避できるか。事態は緊迫の度を増している。
 
A meeting of the 19 finance ministers of the eurozone on how Greece can meet its debt commitments ended without an accord.
　ギリシャ向け金融支援策の継続問題を協議していたユーロ圏１９か国財務相会合が、物別れに終わった。

European creditors asserted that Greece would apply to extend the current bailout program for six months on condition that it would maintain tight budgetary discipline.
　欧州連合（ＥＵ）側は、緊縮財政を前提とした現行の枠組みを６か月延長するよう主張した。

But Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis rejected this, saying the current bailout program had failed to stabilize the Greek economy.
　これに対し、ギリシャのバルファキス財務相は「現在の支援策はギリシャ経済の安定に失敗した」と述べ、支援延長を拒否した。

Eurozone creditors plan to hold more talks with Greece, possibly on Friday, to reach an agreement, but the views of Greece and other eurozone nations remain far apart.
　ＥＵは２０日にも再び会合を開いて、合意を目指す考えだが、ギリシャと他の各国との意見の隔たりは大きい。

At this point, it is uncertain whether the current bailout program, which ends on Feb. 28, can be maintained.
２月末に期限を迎える支援策が続けられるかどうか、予断を許さない状況だ。

Should the bailout be discontinued, Greece will face a lack of funds, raising the risk of the country defaulting on its debts.
　支援が打ち切られると、ギリシャの資金繰りが行き詰まり、国債のデフォルト（債務不履行）などのリスクが一気に高まる。

If the sovereign debt crisis worsens, not only would the Greek economy go bankrupt but the economy of the entire eurozone would eventually plunge into a financial quagmire. Extending the bailout program is essential to avoid seriously affecting the world economy.
　再び債務危機が深刻化すれば、ギリシャ経済が破綻するだけでなく、欧州全体が苦境に陥ることは避けられない。世界経済に重大な打撃を与えないためにも、支援策の延長が不可欠だ。

Greece must endure the pain of tightening its budgetary belt in return for financing from other eurozone countries, which helped Greece pay the price of its own loose fiscal discipline over many years.
　ギリシャは、放漫財政のツケを他国の財政資金で穴埋めしてもらっている以上、緊縮財政の痛みを甘受すべきである。

The Coalition of the Radical Left, led by Alexis Tsipras — now prime minister — won the general election last month and came to power after adopting an anti-austerity position.
　ギリシャのチプラス首相率いる急進左派連合は、反緊縮財政を旗印に１月の総選挙で勝利し、政権を奪取したばかりだ。

By honoring its campaign pledge, the ruling coalition may have no other recourse but to reject the austerity program presented by creditor countries.
公約に基づき、ＥＵ側の求める緊縮策を頑かたくなに拒まざるを得ないのだろう。

Lack of strong industries

Except for tourism and agriculture, the Greek economy has had no strong industries for many years, while the ratio of public service workers to the total working population is high.
　だが、ギリシャ経済は長年にわたり、観光や農業などを除けば有力な産業がなく、労働人口に占める公務員の比率が高い。

As a result of the Greek government’s handling of the economy, which relies heavily on fiscal spending, its society lost much of its vigor, with its debts mounting due to increasing expenditures and sluggish tax revenues.
　こうした財政出動に依存した経済運営を続けた結果、社会の活力は失われ、歳出増加と税収低迷によって債務は膨張を続けた。

To revitalize Greece, there is no other way but to restructure the nation’s fiscal discipline in accordance with the bailout program of the European Union and other entities, while drastically reforming its inefficient economic structure.
　ギリシャを再生するには、ＥＵなどの支援プログラムに沿って財政規律を立て直すとともに、非効率な経済構造を抜本的に改革する以外に、道はあるまい。

In some other eurozone countries, political parties advocating “anti-austerity” stances are gaining public support, as was seen in Greece.
　欧州の一部の国では、ギリシャと同様に「反緊縮」を掲げる政党が支持を広げている。

Worried that loose fiscal discipline may spread to countries in southern Europe and elsewhere, the EU is strongly pressing Greece to toe the austerity line.
　ＥＵは、財政規律の緩みが南欧諸国などに波及する事態を懸念して、強い態度でギリシャに緊縮路線の堅持を迫っている。

Should the bailout talks collapse completely, Greece’s departure from the eurozone will become a real possibility. As this would undermine confidence in the euro system, such a situation must be avoided.
　悩ましいのは、協議が完全に決裂した場合、ギリシャのユーロ圏離脱が現実味を帯びることである。ユーロ体制の信認が揺らぐ事態は避けなければならない。

The EU should explore compromises such as easing the terms for repayment, while maintaining, in principle, the current bailout framework.
　ＥＵは、現行の枠組みを基本としつつ、返済条件の緩和などの妥協策も模索すべきだろう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 18, 2015)

社説:日銀政策委員会 「右に同じ」ばかりでは

February 16, 2015(Mainichi Japan)
Editorial: BOJ Policy Board should hold discussions from broader perspective
社説:日銀政策委員会　「右に同じ」ばかりでは

The Policy Board of the Bank of Japan (BOJ), the nation's central bank, consists of nine members including its governor and two vice governors. Why is the governor alone insufficient to make monetary policy?
　日銀の最高意思決定機関で金融政策を担う政策委員会は、総裁１人、副総裁２人を含む計９人で構成される。なぜ総裁１人ではだめなのか。

Any economist can make mistakes in analysis and prediction. Therefore, the board makes policy decisions to prevent serious errors in judgments and policy excesses. The system is significant in that people with diverse personal histories and knowledge gather to express and exchange opinions.
　どんなに著名な経済学者であっても、分析や予測を誤ることはある。大きな判断ミスや行き過ぎた政策を防ぐための一つの工夫が複数メンバーによる委員会制なのだ。経歴や見識などで多様な人材が集まり、意見を出し合うところに意味がある。

In early February, the government submitted a proposal to the Diet to appoint economist and Waseda University professor Yutaka Harada to replace Ryuzo Miyao, whose term as a board member expires in late March. Harada is in favor of reflation and calls for large-scale quantitative easing. He supports the ultra-easy money policy promoted by BOJ Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda, and does not appear opposed to the central bank further relaxing its monetary grip by buying yet more government bonds.
　政府は今月初め、来月下旬に審議委員の任期が切れる宮尾龍蔵氏の後任に原田泰早稲田大教授を充てる人事案を国会に示した。大規模な量的緩和を唱える「リフレ派」の経済学者で、黒田東彦総裁の下で進められてきた「異次元緩和」を支持し、国債の買い増しによる一段の追加緩和もあり得べし、との立場のようだ。

Moreover, the government needs to pick the successor of board member Yoshihisa Morimoto, whose tenure expires at the end of June. Concerns have been raised over whether the number of pro-reflation members will rise, lessening the significance of the board system.
　６月末に任期満了となる森本宜久審議委員の後任人事も控えている。リフレ派が増え、委員会制の意義がますます薄れはしないか、心配だ。

The term of Policy Board members, including the governor and vice governors, is five years. The Cabinet appoints board members after gaining approval from both houses of the Diet. Since the ruling coalition has a majority in both chambers, the government's nominations are highly likely to clear the legislature.
　総裁、副総裁と同様、日銀の審議委員（６人）の任期は５年で、衆参両院の同意を得て内閣が任命する。与党が両院で多数を占めており、政権の人事案がそのまま通る可能性は高い。

The administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe regards quantitative relaxation as the "first arrow" of the three arrows in its "Abenomics" economic policy mix. It may appear natural in the eyes of the general public that the government selects candidates for the BOJ Policy Board in line with its policies. However, there would be no need for so many board members if they were all to have exactly the same ideas about monetary policy. The government may have become wary when the BOJ Policy Board voted by a narrow margin to further relax its monetary grip in late October last year, with five voting for the proposal and four against.
異次元の量的緩和をアベノミクス「第一の矢」とする安倍政権だ。それに沿った人選を行うのは当然と映るかもしれないが、同じ考え方のメンバーで政策委員会を固めるのであれば、９人も要らない。昨年１０月末に追加緩和を決定した際、採決が５対４とすれすれだったことに政府は危機感を抱いたのだろうか。

It is common for the opinion of the governor of the Bank of England, Britain's central bank, to be voted down by its nine-member Monetary Policy Committee. Former Bank of England Gov. Mervyn King was in a minority in five consecutive meetings of the committee, including the last meeting he attended as governor.
　日銀と同じく９人の政策委員がいる英国の中央銀行、イングランド銀行では、総裁の意見が少数派となり、委員会を通らないことも珍しくない。前総裁のキング氏は、任期最後となった会合も含め、５回連続で少数派となっている。

The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee consists of members with various backgrounds.
　メンバーの経歴も多彩だ。

Namat Shafik, one of two female members of the committee, is deputy governor and comes from Egypt.
女性２人のうちシャフィク氏は副総裁で、エジプト出身。

She had previously served as vice president of the World Bank and deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund. (Only one of the BOJ Policy Board's seats has been occupied by a woman since the revised BOJ Act came into force in 1998.)
世界銀行副総裁や国際通貨基金の副専務理事などを歴任した国際派だ（日銀は１９９８年の改正日銀法施行以降、女性は常に１人）。

Mark Carney, who is Canadian and once headed Canada's central bank, currently serves as governor of the Bank of England.
現在の総裁はカナダ出身で同国の中央銀行総裁も務めたカーニー氏である。

The biggest challenge that the BOJ now faces is the eventual exit from its quantitative easing policy, gradually decreasing the amount of government bonds it purchases while avoiding shocks to the financial markets.
　日銀が今後直面する最大の難題は、いかに市場の動揺を回避しながら、国債の購入額を順次縮小し、量的緩和を終了させるかだ。

If the BOJ Policy Board was dominated by pro-reflation members, it could delay such a policy change, amplify the distortion it causes the markets, and make it impossible to find an exit.
リフレ派ばかりの委員会では、政策の方向転換が遅れ、ひずみが一層増幅し、出口から出られなくなる恐れはないか。

Those who will be appointed to the BOJ Policy Board will face extremely difficult challenges that the central bank has never experienced.
　これから就任する政策委員会委員は、日銀がいまだ経験したことのない極めて難しいかじ取りを担う。

Both the executive and legislative branches of the government should cautiously select members of the panel while keeping in mind that the BOJ has entered a crucial phase, in which its Policy Board needs to have debate from a broad perspective.
政府と国会は、多角的な議論が求められる重要な時期だということを忘れず、慎重に人選を行う責任がある。

毎日新聞　2015年02月16日　02時30分

ウクライナ停戦 合意順守へ国際圧力が重要だ

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Intl pressure key to ensure Ukraine ceasefire accord delivers peace
ウクライナ停戦　合意順守へ国際圧力が重要だ

To maintain the latest ceasefire, which has finally been reached after marathon negotiations, it is imperative for all concerned to comply with the agreement.
　ようやく合意した停戦を維持するには、定められた手順を当事者が順守することが不可欠だ。
 
The accord was to take effect Sunday in Ukraine’s eastern states of Donetsk and Lugansk, where there have been fierce clashes between Ukrainian government forces and armed pro-Russia groups.
　ウクライナ政府軍と親ロシア派武装集団が激しく衝突するドネツク、ルガンスクの東部２州で、１５日に停戦が発効することになった。

Military battles between the two sides broke out following Russia’s annexation of Crimea in March 2014, but a previous ceasefire was agreed upon in September of that year. However, the fighting resumed this year and pro-Russia rebels have occupied airports and harbor cities.
　ロシアのクリミア編入後に始まった戦闘は昨年９月、いったん停戦合意が成立した。だが、今年に入って紛争が再燃し、空港や港湾都市などを親露派が攻略した。

The death toll since April last year has topped 5,300, with private homes and hospitals being bombarded relentlessly.
　民家や病院が容赦ない砲撃にさらされ、昨年４月以来の死者は５３００人を超えている。

Feeling the sense of crisis, German and French leaders conducted shuttle diplomacy before hammering out the latest ceasefire accord, which came after 16 hours of talks with the top leaders of Russia and Ukraine.
　この状況に危機感を抱く独仏首脳がシャトル外交を重ね、ロシア、ウクライナの首脳との１６時間の交渉の末、停戦合意をまとめた。

The 13-point agreement called for a pullback of heavy weapons, establishment of safety zones spanning 50 kilometers or more, withdrawal of foreign soldiers, ceasefire monitoring and the exchange of prisoners of war. Deadlines were set for all measures.
　１３項目の合意は、重火器撤去や幅５０キロ・メートル以上の安全地帯設置、外国兵の撤収、停戦監視、捕虜交換などを期限付きで定めた。

To begin with, the Ukrainian government, pro-Russia armed groups and Russia ought to exercise restraint on military attacks and faithfully fulfill the agreement on the pullback of tanks and artillery.
　まずは、政府と武装集団、ロシアの３者が攻撃を自制し、戦車や大砲を撤去するとの合意を誠実に履行することが大切である。

But concerns remain. Even on the day when the ceasefire agreement was announced, new military clashes and the transport of arms from Russia to eastern Ukraine were reported. The accord cannot be maintained without halting the movement of soldiers and weapons across the border.
　ただ、不安は残る。合意発表当日も、新たな衝突やロシアからウクライナへの武器搬入が伝えられた。兵員と兵器の越境を中止しなければ、合意は維持できまい。

Reconciliation crucial

Another major concern is how monitoring by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe will ensure the ceasefire’s effectiveness.
　全欧安保協力機構（ＯＳＣＥ）が担う停戦監視の実効性をどう確保するかも大きな課題である。

Ukraine, for its part, faces a difficult challenge domestically — how to reconcile deep-seated confrontation between its eastern regions, where there are many pro-Russia elements, with the other areas, which have strong antipathy toward Russia.
　ウクライナ自身も、難題を抱える。親露派が多い東部と、反露感情が強いその他の地域との根深い対立をどう解消するかだ。

The unity of the nation depends on the reconciliation of its people. Reconciliation must be achieved by granting autonomy to areas controlled by pro-Russia groups and the reconstruction of residents’ lives and the economies of the regions that have seen conflict.
　国土の一体性の維持は、国民の融和が前提となる。親露派支配地域への自治権付与や、紛争地域の住民の生活と経済の再建を通じ、和解を達成せねばならない。

To this end, it is imperative to provide international assistance for Ukraine, whose fiscal condition has been deteriorating rapidly since last year.
　そのためには、昨年以降、急速に財政が悪化したウクライナへの国際社会の支援が欠かせない。

The International Monetary Fund has decided to offer a huge financial assistance package — totaling $17.5 billion (about ¥2.1 trillion) over a period of four years — to Ukraine on the condition that it will carry out fiscal reform and eradicate corruption.
　国際通貨基金（ＩＭＦ）は、行財政改革や汚職撲滅を条件に、今後４年間で１７５億ドル（約２兆１０００億円）の大型の金融支援を行うことを決めた。

It is essential for the international community to continue applying pressure on Russia to honor the ceasefire accord, by imposing additional sanctions if necessary in addition to maintaining those already in place.
　国際社会が、対露制裁の継続に加え、必要なら追加制裁を科すことで、ロシアに停戦順守の圧力をかけ続けることが重要だ。

At a meeting of its leaders Thursday, the European Union decided to invoke, as scheduled, additional sanctions against Russian government officials and others on Monday, the day after the ceasefire accord was to take effect.
　欧州連合（ＥＵ）首脳会議は、露政府幹部らへの追加制裁について、停戦発効後の１６日に予定通りに発動することを決定した。

Japan is a principal donor of assistance for Ukraine and has imposed sanctions against Russia. From the standpoint of not accepting a “change in the status quo by force,” we support the Japanese government’s efforts to reinforce maintenance of the ceasefire and achieve peace, while maintaining close cooperation with the United States, Europe and others.
　日本は、ウクライナへの主要な援助国であり、対露制裁を発動している。「力による現状変更」を認めない立場から、欧米などと緊密に連携し、停戦の維持と和平達成を後押ししたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 14, 2015)

対「イスラム国」 オバマ氏は地上戦に道開くか

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Is Obama opening door toward a ground war against ISIL militants?
対「イスラム国」　オバマ氏は地上戦に道開くか

The United States will deploy more potent military operations aimed at wiping out the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant extremist group. We positively welcome this change in U.S. policy.
　過激派組織「イスラム国」の壊滅に向け、より強力な軍事作戦を展開する。米国の方針転換を前向きに評価したい。
 
U.S. President Barack Obama has presented to Congress a draft resolution that would authorize the use of military force, including limited-scale ground operations, against ISIL.
　オバマ米大統領が、イスラム国に対する限定的な地上作戦を含む武力行使の承認決議案を米議会に提示した。

Obama denied the U.S. military will participate in a long-term, major ground combat operation, such as the Iraq War. Rather, the plan is premised on operations such as using U.S. special forces in attacks against ISIL leaders and ramping up tactical support for airstrikes. The validity of the proposed legislation would be limited to three years.
　イラク戦争のような長期の大規模な地上戦への米軍の参加は否定しつつ、特殊部隊によるイスラム国指導者への攻撃や空爆支援の強化などを想定する。決議案の有効期限は３年間に限定した。

In an announcement of the plan, Obama declared, “Our coalition is on the offensive ... and ISIL is going to lose.”
　オバマ氏は声明で、「有志連合は攻勢に出ており、イスラム国は敗北する」と強調した。

As well as beefing up the strike power being aimed at ISIL, which still controls swaths of territory in Iraq and Syria, the draft resolution is also intended to solidify unity among the about 60 nations that are members of this coalition of the willing. We think this course of action is reasonable.
　決議案は、今なおイラクとシリアで一定の地域を支配するイスラム国に対する攻撃力を高めるとともに、約６０か国が参加する有志連合の結束を強めるのが目的だ。その方向性は妥当だろう。

More than 2,000 airstrikes have been conducted by the U.S.-led coalition since they started more than six months ago. The airstrikes have reportedly killed about half of ISIL’s leaders and about 6,000 fighters, so they have produced some results.
　米軍主導の有志連合による空爆は開始から半年を過ぎ、計２０００回を超えた。イスラム国の指揮官の約半数と戦闘員６０００人前後を殺害したとされ、ある程度の成果を上げている。

Rescue missions vital

Meanwhile, one grim reality is that, so far, more than 20,000 foreign fighters have gone to join ISIL. These fighters have come from at least 90 nations. No optimism is warranted over the prospects for the mopping-up operations ahead.
　一方で、これまでにイスラム国に加わった外国人戦闘員が２万人を超え、その出身国が９０以上に及ぶという厳しい現実もある。掃討作戦の前途は楽観を許さない。

If the draft resolution is adopted, it will become possible for the United States to commit special operations forces to missions directly targeting the ISIL leadership. If this can accelerate the weakening of the extremist group, its military significance would be huge.
　決議案が採択されれば、イスラム国の指導部を直接の標的とする作戦への特殊部隊の投入が可能になる。組織の弱体化を加速できるなら、軍事的な意義は大きい。

There are expectations that having U.S. military personnel on the ground to help select airstrike targets will substantially improve the accuracy of these strikes.
　地上の米軍要員が空爆目標の選定に関与することで、空爆の精度の大幅な向上が期待される。

The Iraqi military, Kurdish military forces and moderate Syrian forces are engaged in ground fighting with ISIL. It is also crucial that greater information and planning support be extended to these forces.
　イスラム国と地上戦を続けるイラク軍、クルド人部隊、シリア穏健勢力に対する情報や計画立案面の支援の強化も欠かせない。

If military personnel or citizens from the United States or other members of the coalition are captured by ISIL, U.S. special forces also will play a role in conducting rescue operations.
　米軍の特殊部隊は、米国や有志連合メンバー国の要員や民間人がイスラム国に拘束された場合に、救出作戦を行う役割も担う。

Coalition members’ concerns about the safety of their military personnel have mounted since ISIL captured and then murdered the pilot of a Jordanian military plane that crashed in Syria while on an airstrike operation. The draft resolution apparently also aims to be a response to these anxieties.
　ヨルダン軍機がシリア上空で空爆作戦中に墜落し、パイロットがイスラム国に拘束、殺害された事件の後、有志連合各国は軍事要員の安全への懸念を強めた。決議案は、こうした不安の声に応える側面もあると言える。

With the number of victims from different countries increasing as ISIL murders its hostages, such rescue operations are growing more important to preserve solidarity among the international community.
　イスラム国の人質殺害による各国の犠牲者が増える中、国際社会の連帯を維持するうえで、救出作戦は重要性を増している。

The Iraqi military and Kurdish forces are forecast to launch an operation sometime this spring or later to retake Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city, which is currently under ISIL control. The question will be just how much the U.S. military will contribute to this fight, given that it could sway how the battle develops in the future.
　今春以降、イスラム国が支配するイラク第２の都市モスルの奪還作戦を、イラク軍やクルド人部隊が行う見通しだ。今後の戦況を左右するだけに、米軍がどこまで関与するかが問われよう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 13, 2015)

社説:旅券返納命令 前例にしてはならない

February 10, 2015(Mainichi Japan)
Editorial: Exercise prudence in restricting overseas travel
社説:旅券返納命令　前例にしてはならない

Passports serve as the most effective official identification cards for their bearers when they travel overseas. The Foreign Ministry describes passports on its website as the second most important things for their bearers next only to their lives. Therefore, the ministry's confiscation of the passport of a freelance photographer who had planned to visit Syria in late February to gather news should not be regarded as a precedent.
　外国を旅行する際、旅券（パスポート）は最も公的な身分証明書になる。外務省はホームページで「命の次に大切なもの」と紹介している。だからこそ、今回のようなケースが前例になって繰り返されることがあってはならない。
   
The ministry took the action under Article 19 of the Passport Act, which allows authorities to order individuals to return their passports if it is necessary to force them to call off their planned overseas trips to protect their lives or assets. This is the first time that the clause has been invoked to confiscate a passport since the law came into force in 1951.
　今月末にシリアでの取材を計画していた新潟市のフリーカメラマンから、外務省が旅券を取り上げた。
　旅券法１９条の「名義人の生命、身体または財産の保護のために渡航を中止させる必要」がある場合に返納を命じることができるという規定に基づく措置だった。１９５１年に旅券法が制定されて以来、この種の返納命令は初めてだという。

Article 22 of the Constitution guarantees citizens the freedom to travel overseas along with the freedom to change their residence and choose their occupation as their inherent rights. Moreover, freedom of the press is inevitable in a democratic society, which is guaranteed by journalists' news-gathering activities.
　憲法２２条は、海外渡航の自由を認めている。居住、移転の自由や職業選択の自由とともに国民の権利という位置づけだ。民主主義社会には報道の自由も不可欠であり、それを担保するのが取材活動である。

On the other hand, the ruthless Islamic State (IS) militant group now rules some areas of Syria. The photographer had intended to go to northern Syria in a bid to cover refugee camps and other places that are not under the rule of the militants. However, it would be almost impossible to completely eliminate risks of being targeted by the militants.
　他方でシリアは、イスラム過激派組織「イスラム国」（ＩＳ＝Islamic State）がまだら状に支配している。カメラマンはシリア北部に入り、ＩＳの支配下にない難民キャンプなどを取材するつもりだったというが、リスクを完全に遮断できるとは思えない。

The IS has released the painful images of two Japanese hostages, whom the group claims it has murdered, and threatened to target any Japanese national wherever they are. Should the photographer be confined by the Islamic State group, it would not only endanger his life but also adversely affect Japan's diplomatic policies. In the latest hostage crisis, the Jordanian government got involved in the case, demonstrating that the adverse effects of terrorism could spread to the international community.
　ＩＳが日本人２人の残虐な殺害映像を流し、日本人はどこにいてもテロの対象になると脅したばかりである。もしもＩＳに拘束された場合、本人の命を危険にさらすばかりか、日本の外交政策が制約を受ける。先の人質事件ではヨルダン政府も巻き込まれ、テロの悪影響が国際社会に広がることが明確になった。

The photographer's plan to visit Syria was reported by some media outlets after the hostage crisis came to a tragic end. It was only natural that the Foreign Ministry urged the photographer to call off his trip, considering that the timing of his planned visit to Syria was so close to the time of the recent hostage crisis and that if he were to be attacked by terrorists, it would have a serious political impact on Japan.
　カメラマンのシリア入国計画は、人質事件が無残な結末を迎えた後に一部メディアが報じた。時期が事件と近接していることや、もし新たなテロが発生した場合の政治的影響の大きさを考えれば、入国計画を把握した外務省などが当人に渡航中止を求めるのはやむを得ないことだ。

What is regrettable is how the ministry forced the photographer to cancel his trip.
　残念なのはその手段である。

The fact that the Foreign Ministry had never ordered anyone to return their passports under Article 19 of the Passport Act highlights the seriousness of the impact of such an order. Without a passport, it is impossible for anyone to travel overseas. As such, the ministry should have sought other methods to avoid forcibly imposing restrictions on the freedom to travel overseas guaranteed by the Constitution, though there was little time to act.
　過去に旅券の返納命令が出されていないというのは、その重大さの裏返しであろう。旅券がなければ所持者の海外渡航は事実上、不可能になる。いかに緊急性があったにしても、憲法上の権利に対する強制的な制限を避けるべく、別の方法を最後まで追求してほしかった。

The Foreign Ministry has so far urged members of the public to refrain from visiting certain countries or evacuate depending on the countries' levels of danger. There are calls within the ruling coalition for more effective measures to force members of the public to refrain from visiting dangerous countries or areas. However, such measures would allow the government to intervene more deeply in people's daily lives under the pretext of protecting Japanese nationals. It could also lead to indirect media regulations.
　外務省はこれまで海外の危険度に応じて渡航自粛の要請や退避勧告を行ってきた。与党内では今回のようなケースに対応するために、より実効性のある措置を求める意見が出ている。しかし、それでは「邦人保護」の名の下に政府が国民生活により広く介入することになり、間接的なメディア規制にもつながる。

The government should exercise prudence in restricting Japanese nationals' overseas travel and treat the latest measure as an exception.
　政府は抑制的に対応し、今回の措置を例外にとどめるべきだ。

毎日新聞　2015年02月10日　02時30分

質問なるほドリ:バックカントリースキー 人気だけど、危険なの？＝回答・巽賢司

February 08, 2015(Mainichi Japan)
News Navigator: How dangerous is backcountry skiing?
質問なるほドリ:バックカントリースキー　人気だけど、危険なの？＝回答・巽賢司

　◇未整備の山滑走、遭難事故多発

The Mainichi Shimbun answers common questions readers may have about the sport of backcountry skiing, and its possible dangers.
バックカントリースキーというスポーツに関する質問、その危険性とは？ 

Question: So, just what exactly is backcountry skiing?
　なるほドリ　バックカントリースキーという言葉を聞いたよ？

Answer: It is a sport that involves skiing or snowboarding in mountainous areas that are not maintained in the way that areas such as ski resorts are. It attracts people because it allows them to interface directly with the awesomeness of nature, such as skiing on slopes of soft, powdery snow, and weaving in between snow-covered trees.
　記者　スキー場などの整備された場所ではなく、山の中をスキーやスノーボードで滑ることを言います。さらさらのパウダースノーの斜面や、雪化粧（ゆきげしょう）した木々の間を滑るなど、自然の雄大さを感じられるのが魅力です。

Q: Is it different from the sport of "yama ski" (literally "mountain skiing")?
　Ｑ　山スキーとは違うの？

A: No, it is the same thing. The sport grew in popularity in the United States during the 1970s, with its name referring to unexplored mountainous areas. In Japan, mountain skiing was regularly practiced even during the pre-war era -- but the term "backcountry skiing" did not become popularized until the 1990s. With the quality of skis now improving, the sport continues to attract growing numbers of enthusiasts.
　Ａ　同じです。国内でも戦前から山スキーが楽しまれていましたが、最近になって、バックカントリーという名称が使われ始めました。英語で「未開地（みかいち）、裏山」などの意味で、米国で１９７０年代に流行し、日本でも９０年ごろから広がり始めました。最近はスキー板の品質も向上し、関心が高まっています。

Q: How is backcountry skiing practiced?
　Ｑ　どうやって楽しむの？

A: It is first necessary to climb the mountain where one wishes to ski. This must involve rigorous planning, and participants must have both understanding and technical know-how regarding mountain climbing in winter conditions, as well as any necessary equipment. Activities must also be adjusted in accordance with factors including geography and weather.
　Ａ　滑るために、まずは山を登らなければなりません。しっかりとした登山計画を立て、地形や天候の状況に応じて行動できるかなど、冬山に登る技術や知識、装備も必要です。

Since the areas where backcountry skiing takes place are not maintained, some will be covered in soft snow, where skiers may find themselves tripping. In other places, meanwhile, the snow may be frozen. Backcountry skiers should have a high level of technical competence, due also to the presence of obstacles such as trees and rocks.
整備されているわけではないので、軟らかい雪に足を取られる場合もあれば、凍っている箇所もあります。木や岩などの障害物もあり、より高い技術が求められます。

Q: Is the sport dangerous?
　Ｑ　危険もあるのかな。

A: According to the Nagano Prefectural Police Department, a total of 87 people ran into distress while backcountry skiing between 2008 and 2014 -- among whom 17 died. Three people also went missing in the Northern Alps of Nagano Prefecture this year in January, while two people suffocated to death in avalanches on two different mountains in the city of Myoko, Niigata Prefecture, that same month. In an incident in November 2013, seven people were killed by an avalanche on Mt. Masago in the Tateyama Mountain Range of Toyama Prefecture.
　Ａ　長野県警によると、長野県内では２００８〜１４年、８７人がバックカントリーで遭難（そうなん）し、このうち１７人が死亡しました。今年１月には、長野県の北アルプスで３人が行方不明になりました。同じ月、新潟県妙高（みょうこう）市の別々の山で２人が雪崩（なだれ）に巻き込まれて窒息死（ちっそくし）しました。１３年１１月には富山県の立山連峰・真砂岳（まさごだけ）で７人が雪崩で亡くなりました。

Avalanches may be triggered when skis introduce a cleavage into snow slopes that have not been compacted. Because backcountry skiing can entail traveling at very high speeds along areas without ski courses, it may also be possible for skiers to become lost and die from exposure to the cold.
斜面が圧雪（あっせつ）されておらず、スキー板が雪に亀裂（きれつ）を入れるため雪崩が起きやすいとされます。コースがない場所をかなりの速度で進むこともあるため、道に迷ったうえに寒さで死亡する場合もあります。

Q: I've heard that many people go backcountry skiing by entering unmaintained terrain from established ski resorts.
　Ｑ　スキー場からエリア外に出る人も多いと聞くけれど。

A: Many enthusiasts enter mountainous areas by taking ski lifts. However, even the slightest deviation from delineated skiing courses means entering into uncharted wintry mountainous territory, so skiers are urged to submit mountain climbing registration forms. Entering into the mountainous backcountry is not a matter that should be taken lightly.
　Ａ　リフトを使ってスキー場から入山する人も多いですが、コースを一歩離れるとそこは冬山で、登山届の提出が必要。安易な入山は避けるべきです。

Q: Does being an experienced backcountry skier ensure that one will not encounter any trouble?
　Ｑ　経験があれば遭難しない？

A: This is not necessarily the case. The three individuals who went missing in the northern Alps were apparently very experienced winter mountaineers and backcountry skiers, so it is clear that even seasoned practitioners can find themselves in situations of distress.
　Ａ　そうとも言い切れません。北アで行方不明になった３人は、冬山やバックカントリーの経験は豊富だったといいます。ベテランでも遭難はあり得ます。

A Nagano Prefectural Police Department representative commented, "Carelessness, as well as poor weather conditions, can lead to people encountering trouble."
長野県警の担当者は「油断や悪天候は遭難につながる」と指摘しています。（長野支局）

(Answers by Kenji Tatsumi, Nagano Bureau)
毎日新聞　2015年02月04日　東京朝刊

香山リカのココロの万華鏡:ニュースからのトラウマ ／東京

「１０年前、日本人青年がイラクで人質となって斬首殺害されたとき、とても大きな衝撃を受けた」
１０年前のイラク日本人青年殺害事件とは2004年10月に発生した、国際的テロ集団であるアルカーイダの有力者であるヨルダン人幹部アブー＝ムスアブ・アッ＝ザルカーウィーが率いているとされるイラクの聖戦アルカーイダ組織を名乗るグループによって日本人青年（当時24歳）、香田証生（こうだしょうせい）さんが殺された事件なんです。
テロリストの要求に従って自衛隊を撤退させれば、命は奪われなかったのかもしれません。小泉首相が対応しました。
（スラチャイ）

February 08, 2015(Mainichi Japan)
Kaleidoscope of the heart: News-induced trauma
香山リカのココロの万華鏡:ニュースからのトラウマ　／東京

The abduction of Japanese nationals by the so-called "Islamic State" militant group ended in the worst way possible. Moreover, people who watched the videos or listened to the recorded messages associated with this incident likely experienced an enormous amount of fear.
　過激派組織「イスラム国」による日本人人質事件は最悪の結末となった。公開された映像や音声メッセージを見たり聴いたりして、大きな恐怖感を抱いた人もいるのではないだろうか。

An increasing number of my clients have told me that they became afraid after watching the news regarding these recent events. In terms of figures, this is in fact the highest number of patients who have reported such feelings to me since the time period following the Great East Japan Earthquake.
診察室では「ニュースを見て恐ろしくなった」という声をしばしば耳にするが、単純な件数で言えばその訴えは東日本大震災以来の多さであった。
   
Parents with children have also asked me, "Is it okay to let our kids watch the news about these types of incidents that involve hostage-taking and killing?"
　子どもを持つ親からは「人質の拘束や殺害といったニュースをわが子に見せてよいのか」という質問もあった。

My response in such cases has been, "Don't let your children watch the videos -- but it is probably a good idea if you do show them the newspaper articles and explain to them what occurred."
私は「なるべく映像は見せず、新聞を見せながら“こんなことが起きている”と親の言葉で説明してあげるのがよいのではないか」とこたえている。

I also commented via Internet channels that "children should be protected from the trauma of such shocking videos." This statement was met with numerous objections, however, from people saying things like, "Don't look away from reality," or "Don't prevent children from finding out information that they wish to know about," or "Hiding these televised images from children is counterproductive, since they will just go and try to find them on the Internet."
　ネットでも「ショッキングな映像によるトラウマから子どもを守って」と発信した。するとかなりの数の人たちから反論が寄せられた。「事実から目を背けさせるな」「子どもの知りたい欲求を阻害するな」「テレビの映像を隠せばネットで見ようとするから逆効果」といった意見だ。

I agree that it is never good to overly conceal or distort the truth -- even when we are talking about children. It is also clear that we must not attempt to shield our children from media or news reports that we find shocking. To the contrary, the recent incident could provide an opportunity for a very meaningful experience in terms of parents and children sitting down together in front of an atlas and discussing together what happened.
　たしかに、いくら相手が子どもだからといって、事実を隠しすぎたりゆがめたりすることは良くない。すべての刺激的な報道やニュースから子どもを遠ざければよい、というわけでもないのは確かだ。それに、親子で地図帳を開きながらこの件をきっかけにいろいろな話ができれば、逆にとても有意義な経験となるだろう。

At the same time, however, recent research has revealed cases whereby people -- particularly children -- have experienced trauma from seeing images from disasters and incidents that occurred in far-away places, after they were broadcast on sources including television.
　しかし、最近の研究で、とくに子どもにとっては、遠いところで起きた災害や事件も、テレビなどでの映像によってトラウマになる場合があるとわかっている。

I have additionally heard compelling comments from university students who told me, "I suffered an enormous shock 10 years ago when a young Japanese man was taken hostage and killed in Iraq -- and all of that fear just came flooding back to me again on the occasion of the recent hostage-taking incident."
実際に大学では学生たちから、「１０年前、日本人青年がイラクで人質となって殺害されたとき、とても大きな衝撃を受けた。今回の件でそのときの恐怖がまざまざとよみがえった」という切実な声も聞いた。

At the time, those students would have been elementary school and junior high school-aged students.
彼らはそのとき小学生から中学生。

Images of the Japanese youth being kidnapped and killed have a different impact upon young minds than upon adults -- and some of these young students likely did indeed experience lingering trauma as a result.
日本の若者がとらわれ、亡くなるというニュースや映像をおとなとはまた違った受け取り方をして、中にはそれがトラウマとなって残った人もいるのだろう。

The question of how much shocking news should be shown to children is one that should be considered carefully in each individual household.
　基本的には、衝撃的なニュースをどれくらい子どもに見せるかについては、それぞれの家庭でよく考え、決めればよい。

This does not mean, however, simply showing children such images in a point-blank manner.
ただ、何でも事実を包み隠さずに見せればよい、というわけではない。

Rather, we must know that we have the choice to avoid such images in order to protect our own mental stability. This goes for adults, moreover, just as much as children.
これはおとなでも同じで、私たちには「見ないことで心の安定を保つ」という選択もあるのだ。

In my view, praying for the souls of the dead -- while also protecting the feelings of oneself and one's family -- is another way through which we can work against terrorism.
犠牲となった方たちの冥福を祈りつつ、「自分や家族の心を守るのもテロに屈しないこと」と考えたい。

（精神科医）
(By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
毎日新聞　2015年02月03日　地方版